Chapter 67: The Second Master
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67: The Second Master
Ssshk.
The Snake Queen took a few steps back.
“Hmm… This is quite an unexpected situation. I’m very flustered.”
I was just as flustered as she was.
And it was just as unexpected for me.
No, how did we even arrive at this conclusion?
Why would I be interested in the Snake Queen…?
Of course, I’ll admit I was momentarily tempted by that internal energy pouch, but that’s a completely different matter.
How should I put it? It was a primal, biological instinct.
A simple, instinctual reaction to seeing something so large.
“They say heroes have a weakness for beauty, so perhaps it’s not so strange…”
The Snake Queen trailed off, staring intently at me.
How was I supposed to explain this?
I had a gut feeling that even if I didn’t clarify, things would proceed smoothly—perhaps even in a way that would benefit me.
But at the same time, I had another gut feeling that something would go terribly wrong.
For some reason, I imagined that if I met the spiders, they’d wrap me up tightly in their webs.
Or that all my scales would fall out and I’d evolve into a head-butting dinosaur.
“Gekgegek…”
Nah.
That’s just ridiculous. Would she really do what I’m thinking, especially when she was trying to set me up with her own daughter?
She must just be saying things.
She’ll realize she’s misunderstood.
“It would be quite troublesome if a legitimate heir were to be born.”
What are you talking about, Snake Queen?
A legitimate heir?
Why are you talking as if we’re going to have a child?
The Snake Queen subtly approached me.
Her movements were clearly slow.
But I couldn’t evade her.
My body trembled uncontrollably.
Is this what a mouse feels when it’s cornered by a snake?
It was the same feeling I had when that Nephila Jurassica grabbed my tail.
As she drew closer, the Snake Queen suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“…Wait.”
Right.
This situation makes no sense.
You’ve noticed something’s off, haven’t you?
You’re at least half-human, so let’s not live such a wild life.
“You’re not even three months old?”
Wait, how did she know that?
“Does that mean you’re younger than my daughter?”
In lizard years, that would be correct.
If you counted my past life, I’d be older than this snake, but this body was indeed a young lizard, not even three months old. Of course, no one knew that.
“Age isn’t the most important thing, but… you are far too young. Hmph, it seems I have no choice but to wait.”
You’re surprisingly sensible about things like this.
…Wait, why are you waiting?
Aren’t giving up or letting me go also options?
“We shall postpone the engagement for now.”
“Gekgek!”
She says postpone, but it’s probably more like an indefinite delay, right?
Nothing to worry about.
I’ll think about it when Swish-Swish is old enough to become the Snake Queen.
“Now, we’ve finished our discussion.”
Ssshk.
The Snake Queen’s tail coiled around my body once more.
You said we were finished talking.
What’s the meaning of this?
“There’s something we must do, just the two of us. Follow me.”
Just the two of us?
What’s with that ominous line?
…And I’m not exactly “following.”
You’re just dragging me away by force.
The Snake Queen took me to the large, open area I had first seen.
Swish-Swish was currently in the room with the mirror.
It was just me and the Snake Queen.
Gulp.
What on earth did she bring me here to do?
“Are you ready?”
I squeezed my eyes shut.
You said I was too young!
You said you’d wait!
Don’t tell me, before Swish-Swish is even grown, you’re going to…?
Savage.
No, a savage snake.
This snake is a barbarian.
Sssssssssk…
Hearing a suspicious sound, I squinted my eyes open.
What came into view was an incredibly massive internal energy pouch.
[The Snake Queen gazes at you.]
In other words, the Basilisk’s Petrification Pouch.
The Snake Queen, having returned to her true form at some point, was staring down at me.
Ruuuumble.
[The Snake Queen tests you.]
My mother-in-law’s crash course had begun.
*
How many days has it been?
Another grueling day had passed.
“Keeeehek…”
A single Gomodo was sprawled out on the ground.
My mother-in-law’s Destruction Ray was insanely powerful.
I think she was holding back, but every time I got hit, my mind went blank.
As I lay there with my tongue hanging out, I heard a familiar sound.
“Pyaak!”
A Ball Python came slithering over energetically.
Tied to the end of her tail was a bucket.
According to the Snake Queen, it was a divine artifact called the Iron Vessel.
But how was that a divine artifact? No matter how I looked at it, it was just a tin bucket.
Still, for such an old object, it didn’t have a single spot of rust, so maybe it could be called one?
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
The Ball Python coming to me meant that today’s training was over.
“Pyaak!”
Swish-Swish chirped like a chick as she offered me the bucket.
It was filled to the brim with cold water.
She set the bucket down and stared at me, waiting.
It seemed she wanted me to hurry up and drink the water she’d brought.
She’s so cute.
Just looking at her soothes my soul.
It felt like I was watching Tus and Pus.
For me, who had been tormented by my mother-in-law’s rough handling, Swish-Swish was a precious existence.
“Pyaak!”
Alright, alright.
I plunged my head into the bucket—no, the Iron Vessel—and drank the water.
Gulp, gulp.
I had a fleeting thought that I should be lapping it up with my tongue, but that was for lizards. There was no problem with just sticking my head in and chugging.
“…My princess. Is there no water for your mother?”
The Snake Queen, who had changed back into her human form at some point, spoke in a disappointed tone.
“Pyaaaak!”
[【Ball Python LV18】 says there is no water for a thief.]
“W-What are you saying? How could a mother harbor such shameless thoughts?”
The great Snake Queen was flustered by her daughter.
Python, do you have any idea the humiliation I suffered while you were away?
She touched me here and there and everywhere.
“Saaaaaaak!”
That’s right, my Swish-Swish!
The Ball Python bit the Snake Queen’s finger and dangled from it.
“…One day, you too will understand this mother’s heart.”
The Snake Queen muttered, her eyes downcast.
I hope she never understands that heart.
Please don’t corrupt our pure Swish-Swish.
Let me have some cute things to look at in my life.
I replenished my lost stamina by eating the meat the Snake Queen had prepared.
“O, snake with legs. I believe you are now sufficiently prepared.”
Prepared.
Of course I was.
【Gomodo LV15】
HP: 1203/1270
MP: 370/470
【Status】
「Mark of the Snake Queen」
I had raised my level all the way to 15.
In truth, most of those levels were gained through the effects of Predation.
My level shot up just by eating the meals provided by the Snake Queen.
The fact that the “Mark of the Snake Queen” hadn’t disappeared was a little annoying, but since it wasn’t necessarily a bad status effect, I decided not to worry about it.
Looked at another way, it could be considered the Snake Queen’s blessing.
If I had my way, I’d stick by the Snake Queen’s side and live off her for the rest of my life, but I had a feeling that she’d eventually cash in my levels in a different way.
I had received training from the Snake Queen on how to deal with a Cockatrice and had focused on improving my basic physical abilities. All preparations were now complete.
I had eaten my fill; it was time to earn my keep.
“Gekgek!”
I nodded with a confident gek.
“Ufufut. You’re brimming with confidence. Well, it’s only natural, having been taught by this Snake Queen.”
No matter how strong the Cockatrice was, it would be no match for the Snake Queen.
And I had been hit by that being’s Destruction Ray several times.
I wasn’t afraid of the Cockatrice at all.
“I suppose you can now go around calling yourself my disciple.”
“Ge-ek…”
I glanced at her cautiously.
Of course, I wanted to.
The disciple of the Snake Queen.
How cool would that sound?
“…What is that expression for?”
But I already have a master.
“Don’t tell me you already have a master.”
Her name is Baek Yeon-yeong, and she looks a lot like you, Your Majesty.
“…You truly are a greedy lizard. To think I’ve lost the position of master as well.”
The Snake Queen said in a gloomy voice.
When she put it like that, I felt a little bad.
“The other first must be…”
And just like that, I didn’t feel bad at all.
This person.
No, this snake still hasn’t come to her senses.
“Pyaaaak!”
The Ball Python gnawed on the queen’s finger.
After that slightly chaotic mealtime, I took a long rest.
It was now truly time to go.
I couldn’t take the Ball Python with me.
It was one thing inside the territory ruled by the Snake Queen, but the moment she entered another region, she would become food for birds.
“Hieeek…”
The python let go of the Snake Queen’s finger and rubbed her body all over me.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered just eating my fill and running away, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave this little one behind. Besides, I owed the Snake Queen a debt of gratitude.
“Your objective is to gather evidence.”
The mission itself wasn’t difficult, so I should just resolve it quickly and come back.
“Remember this. Do not, under any circumstances, confront that creature.”
“Gekgek!”
“It’s not that you have zero chance of winning, but it is still too dangerous. I have no desire to make my daughter a widow.”
…You’re worried about me, right?
“If you focus solely on escaping, even Gogadurisu won’t be able to catch you. Find its tracks or location, then return to the temple immediately.”
I had heard these words so many times my ears were ringing.
Pinpoint the Cockatrice’s location.
This was the task the Snake Queen had requested of me.
“Gekgek!”
I let out a reliable cry.
What could possibly go wrong?
“Yes. You are truly dependable.”
I stroked the head of Swish-Swish, who was rubbing against me.
She was definitely a snake, so why did it feel like I was petting a puppy?
The goodbyes were over.
There was no need for long words.
A great lizard proves himself through action.
“Snake with legs. If you complete your mission successfully, there will be a great reward.”
A reward?
She’s giving me more than just showing me a divine artifact?
Will you have anything left if you keep giving things away like this?
Maybe she’ll give me more elixirs.
I looked at her with eyes full of expectation.
“Ufufut. You can look forward to it.”
…It is elixirs and stuff, right?
An inexplicable chill ran down my spine.